“That sends a message to the Premier League that we’re here to be reckoned with”.

Arsenal leapfrogs its opponent on goal difference to go second in the table, two points behind Premier League leader Manchester City.

The Gunners suffered their second shock Champions League loss with the Greek side prevailing 3-2 at the Emirates following their 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the opening fixture.

Wenger’s men showed no sign of hangover from their midweek capitulation, pressing the visitor deep into its own half from the kick-off, and United crumbled under the pressure in just the sixth minute.

Mesut Ozil has been criticized in recent weeks for his below par performances, but Walcott insists that it’s a “pleasure” to play alongside the 26-year-old.

Arsene Wenger has entrusted Walcott to lead Arsenal’s front line this season, starting the 26-year-old England worldwide in place of Olivier Giroud in their last four successive league games. For the first one, Ozil received a pass near the byline and cut the ball back to Sanchez, who with his back to goal flicked it inside the near post.

Van Gaal made a double substitution at halftime, bringing on Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia for the ineffective Matteo Darmian, who struggled at right back against Sanchez’s pace, and Memphis Depay.

“If someone is going to shoot from the edge of the box, you want your midfielders or defenders to throw themselves at it to do everything for the team, whether you cost £4million or £42million”.

“He looks first before he gets the ball and he knows where he’s going to play it before he’s even got it”.

In the day’s other news, experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat stepped down as Sunderland manager after a return of three points from eight games left the northeast club second from bottom.

Sanchez picked up a groin problem as the striker prepares to fly to Chile for worldwide duty.